Heart Disease Is Characterized by Hardening of The Arteries
The idea that heart disease is characterized by hardening of the arteries is the foundation for the treatment and prevention of heart disease. To better understand why heart disease is characterized by hardening of the arteries first we must gain an understanding of hardening of the arteries itself. In this article we will do just that along with revealing six common symptoms linked to artery induced heart disease.
There are many types of heart disease ranging from congestive heart failure to coronary heart disease but what both have in common is that their relationship to arterial narrowing and/or arterial blockage.
Hardening of the arteries silently begins years before any symptoms appear. In the beginning the interior opening of the artery called the lumen is starting to narrow because of accumulated fat and cholesterol on the interior walls. As the fat deposits continue to build they start to take on a different form as fibrous tissue forms and calcium begins to accumulate transforming what was a small soft and fluffy cholesterol and fat deposit into a hard dense plaque deposit. The longer this plaque deposit goes unchecked the more growth and calcification takes place, eventually leading to oxygen rich blood flow being reduced, and in the case of a heart attack blocked altogether.
The explanation above contains just a few of the reasons heart disease is characterized by hardening of the arteries. But what is perhaps the most frightening is that in many cases hardening of the arteries begins in childhood with the development of fatty streaks and/or deposits of cholesterol and fats in the large blood vessel responsible for transporting blood to both the upper and lower part of the body. To drive home this point one recent study found that children consuming a high saturated fat western style diet were likely to have small plaque deposits forming by the age of three.
The six warning signs of artery related heart disease
*Edema: This condition is characterized by swelling in the ankles normally after a long day of standing on ones feet. It is caused by arterial blockage that has reduced kidney function due to lack of blood. As the blockage increases fluid buildup becomes more noticeable after a shorter period of time.
*Angina: Angina is the symptom most often associated with heart disease. It is tight feeling in feeling in the chest that often includes pain but magically seems to disappear with rest. Angina can also be felt in the abdomen, throat, or arms.
*Shortness of breath: This symptom is often seen in advanced cases of arterial blockage and hardening. When shortness of breath occurs difficulty breathing will be noticed whether exertion is taking place or whether you are at rest. If you are seeing this symptom you should seek a medical opinion identifying the cause and severity.
*Fatigue: Activities that used to seem easy are becoming increasingly more difficult to complete without resting. If you are suffering from heart disease caused by hardening of the artery you may feel tired all the time leading you to wonder if something is wrong.
*Palpitations: You may feel like your heart is about to jump out of your chest for no good reason. This is sign that the heart is having to work much harder than what is normal.
*Lightheadedness: You bend over to pick up something on the ground as you start to raise up you get dizzy. This feeling starts to occur more and more often as time goes by. There are many reasons this could be occurring with heart and artery disease right at the top of the list along with inner ear conditions such as vertigo.
In summary, now we know that heart disease is characterized by hardening of the arteries and if any of the above symptoms start to be noticed you should contact your doctor for a medical opinion.
If you would like to learn more about heart disease, artery disease, cholesterol, or how to reduce the chances of a dangerous plaque buildup in the arteries with the help of an all natural cholesterol reduction supplement Click Here
R.D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate for the use of natural health products and natural living with over 10 years experience in the field. Learn more about natural remedies and natural health at Purchase Remedies.com
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